Thursday, May 17th, 2012

You are here: Home / Programs of Study / Geography

Geography


What is Geography? Geography is the science of place and space.  Geographers ask where things are located on the surface of the earth, why they are located where they are, how places differ from one another and how people interact with their environment. West Liberty State College offers a concentration in geography for social science majors as well as a minor for students majoring in a wide variety of other areas of study.

What Careers Exist in Geography? Individuals with training in geography work in a variety of fields including education, business, industry, urban planning, historic preservation, and government.  Recent graduates of West Liberty with concentrations in geography have gone on to earn masters degrees and doctorates in geography.

Geography graduates go on to careers in:

  • Economic Geography
    • Location Expert
    • Market Researcher
    • Traffic Manager/Route Manager
    • Real Estate Agent/Broker/Appraiser
  • Environmental; Geography
    • Environmental Manager
    • Forestry Technician
    • Park Ranger
    • Hazardous Waste Planner
  • Geographic Education
    • College Professor
    • Overseas Teacher
  • Geographic Technology
    • Cartographer/Computer Mapper
    • Geographic Information System Specialist
    • Remote-Sensing Analyst
  • Human and Cultural
    • Peace Corps Volunteer
    • Community Developer
    • Map Librarian
  • Physical Geography
    • Weather Forecaster
    • Outdoor Guide
    • Coastal Zone Manager
    • Soil Conservationist/Agricultural Extension Agent
    • Hydrologist
  • Regional Geography
    • Area Specialist (State Department, CIA)
    • International Business Representative
    • Travel Agent
  • Urban and Regional Planning
    • Urban and Community Planner
    • Transportation Planner
    • Health Services Planner

Course Offerings: West Liberty University offers a wide range of courses in geography. From broad survey courses including Introduction to Geography and World Regional Geography to more specialized topics including Weather and Climate, Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Geography, Cultural Geography and Geographies of Popular Culture, students in many majors may benefit from the perspective on location and place that geography provides. With the increasing need to understand cultural diversity and environmental impacts, geography offers many tools with which to understand the world and make informed, sensible decisions in the workplace.

General Description of the Program: The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences offered both a concentration and minor in geography. The concentration in geography is designed to provide students with a strong background in the Liberal Arts as well as specialized skills and the theoretical foundation required for their effective application in a variety of careers and can be completed as either a BA or BS degree. Students who concentrate in geography gain a sophisticated perspective of the elements of both physical and human geography and the ways in which physical and cultural environments influence each other.

What Types of Students Might Be Interested in Such a Program? Because geography is a discipline rooted in both the natural and social sciences, it appeals to students with many interests. A common interest among students is an intrinsic curiosity about the importance of space and place in cultural, economic and environmental situations. Students who do well in geography learn to balance a broad global view with the specifics of more local concerns. In addition, training in geography helps students hone critical thinking skills that will serve them well in whatever careers they choose to pursue.

Distinctive Features of the Program: The two full-time geography professors at West Liberty University bring a broad and deep knowledge of all facets of the discipline. Both professors hold the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, one with a concentration on environmental and technological areas of the field, the other with a focus on the cultural landscape. Upper level courses typically have fewer than twenty students and offer the opportunity for personalized interaction with faculty. In addition, the University has a local chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the international geography honorary society, through which member students may network with other geographers, seek scholarships and attend annual social events that focus on geography.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

General Studies…….………………………………………………………….48cr

Social Science Core………………………………..………………………….24 cr
ECON 101 – Principles of Macroeconomics
GEO 205 – Intro to Geography
HIST 104 – History of Civilization II
HIST 211 – History of US Since 1865
POLS 101 – Basic Concepts of Politics and Government
POLS 201 – National Government
SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology
SS 100 – Global Issues

Geography Concentration…………………………………………………….34 cr
GEO 205 – Intro to Geography
GEO 302 – Geographic Information Systems
GEO 306 – Physical Geography
GEO 310 – Geography of U.S. and Canada or
GEO 320 – Geography of Asia or
GEO 330 – Geography of Central and South America or
GEO 340 – Geography of Europe or
GEO 350 – Geography of Africa
GEO 371 – Economic Geography
GEO 400 – Cultural Geography
GEO 452 – Geographic Thought
GEO ___ – Geography Elective
SS 250 – Statistics in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
SS 450 – Research Design
SS 451 – Research Design Lab
SS 480 – Social Science Capstone

Additional Electives to total…………………………………………….……128cr

For more information, contact Dr. Crawford (Physical Geography) or Dr. Kruse (Human Geography).